Combination ash tray-coaster



Aug.22,1967 D L ETAL 2%332080 COMBINATION ASH TRAY-COASTER Filed Nov. 12, 1964 [N VENTOR. 0 M09190 M Ma 001/4 [IA E0 Vows mm W4 av i Zfo rzzey 3,337,080 COMBINATION ASH TRAY-COASTER Edward N. Meldahl, 110 Yamate-cho, Ashiya-shi, Japan,

and Takeo Yoshikawa, 42 banchi, B-chome, Kamiyacho, Kita-ku, Tokyo, Japan Filed Nov. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 410,459 2 Claims. (Cl. 22020) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination ash tray-coaster characterized by assembled receiving portions rotatable with respect to each other, and spring means urging such receiving portions into a normally aligned position.

The present invention relates to a combination ash traycoaster, and more particularly to a new and novel assembly of such type of structure.

As is known, it is bothersome to look for an ash tray or the like during entertaining, as for example, at a cocktail party, proving of concern both to the user and to the host or hostess as well. Oftentimes, in such instances, the guests hands are full, and it is difficult to find a suitable location to place the ash tray during use or, if desired, to readily intermingle throughout the cocktail party area with an ash tray in hand. Moreover, it is further desirable to have a concealed receiving spaced for the remains of edibles as, by way of example, nut shells or the like, and, additionally, a convenient coaster for a beverage.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicants herein have provided a new and novel combination ash traycoaster, made of simple and readily combinable components, where one portion thereof is adapted to receive a beverage glass or container, and another portion thereof is adapted to receive ashes or the like. The instant invention permits ease in carrying the over-all unit, and merely requires slight effort to rotate either the beverage or ash receiving portion, one with respect to the other. The applicants new and novel combination ash tray-coaster is representative of effective and desirable use, being of simplified structure which lends itself to economics in manufacturing and to the ultimate consumer.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel combination ash traycoaster having article receiving portions thereof which are rotatable off-center with respect to each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel combination ash tray-coaster which is simply and positively assembled with a minimum of components, and which, at the same time, permits ready and effective use.

A still further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel combination ash tray-coaster which lends itself to ready rotation for permitting entrance to a normally concealed lower article receiving portion, and which, at the same time, represents manufacturing economies.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken away, showing a combination ash tray-coaster in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the combination ash traycoaster of FIG. 1, moved to a position, however, Where entrance is provided into the lower article receiving portion thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the combination ash tray-coaster of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken partly at line 44 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing further details of the instant invention, where, however, the over-all unit is in the closed position of FIG. 1.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as-illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally ocour to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new and novel combination ash tray-coaster 10 comprises a beverage glass or container receiving portion 12 and an ash or other refuse receiving portion 14, where an off-center pivot pin 15 extends outwardly through an opening (not numbered) in a depressed area 12a in the bottom surface of portion 12 of the device. A sleeve 16 is secured through an opening (not numbered) in the portion 14, extending so as to receive the pin 15 therewithin. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the portions 12 and 14 are each made from aluminum or similar lightweight material, while the pivot pin 15 may be made from brass or like metal.

As should be particularly evident from FIG. 4, a spring 19 is wrapped around a portion of the pivot pin 15, one end 19a of which extends into an opening 15a in one end of the pivot pin 15, while another end 191), when in use, bears against the inner surface of the portion 14.

In order to assemble the instant combination ash traycoaster 10, the other end of pivot pin 15 is provide-d with a peripheral groove 15b which is adapted to receive a linearly slotted elongated washer 20, an enlarged portion of the slot in the latter being adapted to extend into the aforesaid peripheral groove 15b. In order to maintain the washer 20 in operative position, protrusions 21 are provided on opposite sides thereof on the bottom surface of portion 14 to thereby define a working channel, where such washer 20 has a depending portion 20a which serves to assist the handling of such washer.

The over-all assembly is completed through the use of a dimple or similar protrusion 12b which extends from the bottom surface of the portion 12, as should be evident from FIGS. 1 and 2, the purposes of which will become more apparent from the description herebelow.

In operation, and after assembly, i.e. after the pivot pin 15 carrying portion 12 is positioned so that the former is received within the sleeve 16, the spring 19 having already been positioned around the pin 15 and having one end 19b thereof bearing against the inner surface of the portion 14 of the device, washer 20 is urged into locking relationship with the groove 15b in the end of the pin 15, so that the assembly is unable to come apart. In other words, with the locking of the washer 20, disassembly between 12 and 14 is not. feasible but instead, only the desired rotational movement to reveal the receiving spaced defined by the portion 14.

In this latter regard, portions 12 and 14 are movable by off-center rotation with respect to each other to the position of FIG. 2, with the spring 19 serving to urge the portions 12 and 14 into the position of FIGS. 1 and 4. In such instance, the dimple or protuberance 12b on the portion 12 is in selective engagement with portions of the inner side surface of the portion 14, limiting rotational displacement between the portions 12 and 14.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicants herein have provided a new and novel combination ash tray-coaster, wherein one article receiving portion thereof is rotatable oii-center with respect to another article receiving portion thereof so that storage of ash and like matter may be readily and effectively accomplished at the same time a beverage or the like is being carried. The invention is positively assembled and simple in use, being representative of a minimum of components, and as it is light in weight, represents a convenience to the user without fear of breakage.

The combination ash tray-coaster described hereabove is, of course, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, proportioning may be varied and another size spring unit employed, as well as different over-all assembly approach insofar as washer 20 is concerned, all with equally efiective end results. Thus, the above description should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion, a pin extending from said first receiving portion, means on said second receiving portion securing said pin in operational relationship therewith, and a spring encircling a portion of said pin and having an arm secured to said first receiving portion and another arm bearing against said second receiving portion and urging the covering of said second receiving portion by said first receiving portion.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a first article receiving portion and a second article receiving portion, a pin extending from said first article receiving portion, a sleeve extending from said second article receiving portion and adapted to receive said pin, an opening in said second article receiving portion adapted to receive an end of said pin, slidable means disposed on said second article receiving portion adapted to selectively engage said end of said pin to maintain said first article receiving portion and said second article receiving portion in assembled relationship, and a spring encircling a portion of said pin, said spring having an end secured to said first article receiving portion and another end bearing against the inner surface of said second article receiving portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1946 Slaton et al. 3l2-201 2/1956 Mihalyi 220-33 

1. AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE COMPRISING A FIRST RECEIVING PORTION AND A SECOND RECEIVING PORTION, A PIN EXTENDING FROM SAID FIRST RECEIVING PORTION, MEANS ON SAID SECOND RECEIVING PORTION SECURING SAID PIN IN OPERATIONAL RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, AND A SPRING ENCIRCLING A PORTION OF SAID PIN AND HAVING AN ARM SECURED TO SAID FIRST RECEIVING PORTION AND ANOTHER ARM BEARING AGAINST SAID SECOND RECEIVING PORTION AND URGING THE COVERING OF SAID SECOND RECEIVING PORTION BY SAID FIRST RECEIVING PORTION. 